B.C., Ottawa sign health agreement worth $1.4 billion, $65 million for overdoses
RICHMOND, B.C. — Money from Ottawa to fight an ongoing overdose crisis helped sway British Columbia into signing a new 10-year, $1.4 billion health funding deal, says the province’s health minister.
Terry Lake stood alongside federal Health Minister Jane Philpott on Friday as she announced the new agreement, which includes $785 million for home care and $654 for mental-health initiatives.
“Our governments will work together to strengthen health-care systems and reach our top priority, keeping Canadians healthy,” Philpott said.
Lake has repeatedly said the province would not negotiate a separate deal with the federal government after talks between the provinces, territories and Ottawa broke down in December. They rejected a federal offer that would have poured an additional $25 billion over five years into health care, with money tagged specifically for mental health and home care.